Kauai's Southern Portion Drenched, Evacuations Possible

KOLOA, KAUAI (KHNL) - Residents who live in Koloa say they've never seen the weather this bad. It's so bad, some people have already packed up their personal belongings.

Charlene Gammerino has lived in Koloa all her life, but she says she's ready to leave at a moment's notice.

"Well it's scary, I have all my important papers in my car and clothes, just in case they say we have to evacuate, I'm ready," said Gammerino.

Gammerino and others on the south side of Kauai have been keeping a close eye on the heavy rains. They're worried that what happened earlier in the week to the Ka Loko, could happen to the nearby Waita Dam.

"We've had several malls that have tried to build in this area and nothing's been built here because it's such a flood zone, so we know if it breaks it can be a threat to us," said Tammy Chambliss, who has lived in Koloa for 31 years.

"And I lived in places where it's flooded before and this is big," said Shelby Simms.

The water at the Waita reservoir has receded and crews have been working to keep levels down. And although it's designed to spill into the Waikomo Stream, it's also swelling.

But Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste says it looks like everything's under control.

"Most of the reservoirs as we've seen them are built very well," said Mayor Baptiste. "These reservoirs have held for long period of years."

Residents aren't taking any chances. They're doing whatever they can to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature.